Herald Property Awards 2018. Success for Glasgow Housing Association
Two of the projects I photographed earlier in the year have had success in the Herald Property Awards 2018. It is always good to see photographs I’ve been commissioned to take, helping to present these designs to a wider audience. As a photographer I spend a lot of time on site looking closely at the buildings, setting up shots and often waiting patiently for the light and weather to be favourable. This time is essential to photograph projects well, but also enables a close insight into the project. Drawing on my background in architecture, I often notice it is the small details, landscaping elements, and use of space around buildings that set projects apart. Setting up a camera pointing at homes is always a point of curiosity for residents, and after explaining to people that my job is photographing buildings, and there is no need for them to be perplexed, I often get to hear feedback on the design and delivery of housing. It was evident with both of these projects that residents felt the homes contributed to the area and offered a high level of satisfaction and well being.
Dougrie Drive in Castlemilk, was designed by Elder and Canon Architects for Glasgow Housing Association and the Wheatley Group offering both affordable and amenity housing with support and communal living for local residents. It had already picked up Scottish Homes award for ‘best large scale affordable housing project’ and also the award for ‘Development of the Year’ at the Herald awards. It is a good example of how social housing can enhance the local area, combining the benefits of traditional tree lined streets and secure, supported flatted developments around a shared courtyard. ( see 4 photos below )
Harvie Street by Collective Architecture picked up the award for Best Regeneration Project, in a project also on behalf of Glasgow Housing Association that sees a mix of 80 new build affordable housing units and 20 mid-market rented homes within a refurbishment project to the old Tram Depot in Cessnock, Glasgow. The project attracts both new and existing residents to the area and provides affordable housing near Festival Park. ( see 4 photos below )
